CURRENT MISSION
Redirecting my lifestyle and career, travelling and working in Asia
(surfing and not hosting for the near future)

ABOUT ME
After building a theatre career for the last 6 years, I finally hit a burnout stage in early 2015. I realised that the intensity and cost of London wasn't good for my health, and so in the spring I left for Sumatra, Indonesia, where I've been immersing myself in a different culture and mindset through a farming exchange. I'm soaking up new practical skills and a closer relationship to nature, enjoying village life, living with local Indonesians and other travellers.

I'm artistic and motivated, with a lot of energy to build and discover. I like to challenge myself, and am always seeking new experiences.

My parents instilled a love for travel in me. My mum is from a rural farming community in Illinois, US, and my dad is from Catford, London. I was born in Denver, Colorado and grew up moving between South Africa, Canada and the UK.

PHILOSOPHY
Liberty and equality. Engaging with life by thinking and sharing those ideas with others. I believe that is the key for growth, and in a world beyond money. I used to be big on control, but I'm trying to let that go and move into a more observational place. You get what you give.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING
Currently I'm just surfing as on the road and no flat back home.
Previously I've just hosted.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE
I've hosted a couple of guests in London, which I really enjoyed. I get a kick out of meeting new people and orientating them in a city.

Interests

Any kind of physical craft I'll have a go at. I'm good with my hands and relax through drawing, reading or physical activity. I like to have some kind of creative project running.

Enthusiastic and knowledgeable about theatre and film. Travelling, meeting new people and discovering new places.

• arts
• culture
• running
• reading
• traveling
• drawing
• surfing

Music, Movies, and Books

Dark, epic, fantasy.

Books: Tale of Two Cities, Dark Materials, Life of Pi, For Whom the Bell Tolls, Alias Grace, House of Spirits

Music: Dire Straits, Fleetwood Mac, Pink Floyd, XX, Ben Howard, Arcade Fire

Films: Adventures of Priscilla, Some Like it Hot, Singing in the Rain, Donnie Darko, Death Becomes Her, Princess Bride, Dark Crystal

TV: I'm not a big tv watcher these days, but ... Crystal Maze, Wire, Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Pride & Prejudice, Borgen, Game of Thrones

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I worked and saved to travel to Darjeeling when I was 18, teaching drama and english in a hill station called Dilaram, and then travelled around India afterwards. I was away for 6 months, I had no idea what I was doing. It was very hard, but I had the time of my life. This was a personal feat in the face of adversity, and a special time when I made many new relationships and friendships. It was intense, but taught me the importance of facing fear, embracing failure and the rewards of giving.

I did a trek into the Himalayas with the family I was staying with, who ran the school. The physical challenge and the landscape I walked through was on a new scale for me.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm rediscovering that sense of adventure (above) with my new exploration of Indonesia, and believe that working in a place is the best way to understand a community. You get out what you put in - an exchange is my favourite way.

My theatre career and working passion is based in the social exploration and sharing of ideas. Alongside professional theatre productions, I've worked a lot with young people to devise performances based around different social issues important to them. I'm a big advocate of how theatre and the arts can deepen engagement with life, bring people together and build individual confidence.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I've got a strong drive to work and create. I'm quick to learn practical skills and enjoy leadership roles. I like to organise and to interact with others, to help with english learning or serving. I'm ready to get involved in projects, or just to discuss life and ideas with hosts, and exchange our worldviews.

Countries I’ve Visited

Canada, Croatia, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Malta, South Africa, Spain, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Canada, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States